Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery has a special diet for the individuals that had surgery. They need to eat pureed and liquids for the first 12 weeks to allow their stomach time to heal. They are restricted to a clear liquid diet that includes broths, sugar-free jello, and diluted fruit juices. The diet is to refrain from sugary or caffeine foods and liquids.

The next phase of the diet consists of introducing pureed foods for the following two weeks without any sugar additives. This allows the body to slowly introduce solid foods to the digestive tract. Some of the foods allowed at this phase include cream of wheat, skim milk, creamy soup, pureed fruit and none acidic vegetables, and protein drinks as mashed potatoes with a bland gravy.

Slowly adding more solid foods is allowed but only in small quantities to reduce the risks of nausea or vomiting due to the heaviness of the foods. The stomach has been altered to the state of limited space so over eating can result in temporary sickness or feeling ill.

The diet is to consist of high protein low carbohydrates with a multivitamin. The body will need the special nutrition to avoid becoming malnourished. Adding a multivitamin as a daily ritual after surgery is highly recommended for the future to aid in a healthier level of nutrition.

The post surgery bariatric diet is similar to diets consisting of most foods that can be pureed in a blender or the consistency of baby food. Homemade foods can be easily created in tasty manners.
It is recommended to avoid hot or spicy foods or additives. Allowing the stomach to not only heal but to adjust to the new introduction to foods is the most crucial aspect of the post surgery diet. Avoid over eating that may damage the surgical procedure.

The portion size of the meals is considerably reduced so eating more often is essential to the adjustment after surgery. It is important to realize the stomach size has been drastically reduced. The serving size of meals is only a few ounces, which also includes any liquids consumed. Generally, a few bites of food will become the typical meal for patients of bariatric surgery.